Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 1 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"Plutarch
Philosophy
Plutarch's essays and miscellanies, Vol. 1 (of 5) : $b Comprising all his works collected under the title of "Morals"
Plutarch
Classical literature; Essays; Ethics; Philosophy
28. But some will say, Did the ancients invent nothing themselves?
Yes, say I, they did invent, but their inventions were grave and
decent. For they who have written the history of music attribute to
Terpander the addition of the Dorian nete, which before was not in
use. Even the whole Mixolydian mood is a new invention. Such were
also the Orthian manner of melody with Orthian rhythms, and also the
Trochaeus Semantus.[61] And if we believe Pindar, Terpander was the
inventor of the Scolion (or roundelay). Archilochus also invented the
rhythmic composition of the iambic trimeter, the change to rhythms
of different character, the melo-dramatic delivery,[62] and the
accompaniment proper to each of these. He is also presumed to be the
author of epodes, tetrameters, the Cretic and the prosodiac rhythms,
and the augmentation of the heroic verse. Some make him author also of
the elegiac measure, as likewise of the extending the iambic to the
paeon epibatus, the prolonged and heroic to the prosodiac and Cretic.
And Archilochus is first said to have taught how iambics could be
partly recited to the stroke of the lyre and partly sung; from him the
tragedians learned it, and from them Crexus took it, and made use of
it in dithyrambics. It is thought that he invented also playing on the
lyre at intervals in the song, whereas the ancients played only during
the singing.
29. Of the Hypolydian mood they make Polymnestus the inventor, and
the first that taught the lowering and raising of the voice (ἔκλυσις
and ἐκβολή). To the same Olympus to whom they also ascribe the first
invention of Grecian and well-regulated nomic music they attribute
likewise the finding out the enharmonic music, the prosodiac measure
to which is composed the hymn to Mars, and the chorean measure which
he used in the hymns to the Mother of the Gods. Some report him to be
the author also of the bacchius. And every one of the ancient songs
show that this is so. But Lasus of Hermione, transferring the rhythms
to suit the dithyrambic time, and making use of an instrument with many
notes, made an absolute innovation upon the ancient music, by the use
of more notes, and those more widely distributed.
30. In like manner Menalippides the lyric poet, Philoxenus and
Timotheus, all forsook the ancient music. For whereas until the time of
Terpander the Antissaean the harp had only seven strings, he[63] added
a greater number, and gave its notes a wider range. The wind-music
also exchanged its ancient plainness for a more copious variety. For
in ancient times, till Menalippides the dithyrambic came into request,
the wind-music received salaries from the poets, poetry holding
the first rank and the musicians being in the service of the poet.
Afterwards that custom grew out of date; insomuch that Pherecrates the
comedian brings in Music in woman’s habit, all bruised and battered,
and then introduces Justice asking the reason; to which Music thus
replies:—
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account